Abacus
Well-Known Member
Without making any comment on the industry or whether these stats are good enough yet, there is actually about a 13.5% reduction in the fatality rate from 2001/2 to the period from 2021-2024. (0.24% to 0.2075%). (Edited)
Three horses die at Kempton racing
- Thread starter Chianti
- Start date
Peglo
Well-Known Member
I would like the minimum age to be at least 4 for flat races and more for hurdles.
I prefer watching thoroughbreds race than high level dressage but the death rate in racing is shocking for something that “should” be more natural for a horse. I would like to see changes to try and combat this but when there’s competition with horses the risk of pushing them too far will always be there.
The amount of thoroughbreds that are for sale at the moment is very sad too.
I prefer watching thoroughbreds race than high level dressage but the death rate in racing is shocking for something that “should” be more natural for a horse. I would like to see changes to try and combat this but when there’s competition with horses the risk of pushing them too far will always be there.
The amount of thoroughbreds that are for sale at the moment is very sad too.
Chianti
Well-Known Member
I was a bit in love with Kauto Star. Loved watching him race. I felt they tried to keep him going for too long. Ruby Walsh really disappointed me when Kauto had either not finished or had only been placed in one of his later Gold Cup runs. The horse must have won him a fortune over the years but he could hardly bring himself to say anything positive about him, although you could see he'd tried as much as he could. I think all the professionals involved with racing just see the horses as cash machines.
Fullers1845
Active Member
We live literally 5 minutes from the nearest racecourse, my other half and some friends have tried to organise days there in the past and I won't go.
'But you love horses'
'Yep that's why I won't go'
'But you love horses'
'Yep that's why I won't go'
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Kauto Star won the King George on his second last run, then fell and retired at Cheltenham. Must admit felt more sorry for him that he didn't go team chasing or similar and they tried to make him into a dressage horse. He never looked happy when he was doing displays.
BHA statement
The British Horseracing Authority also issued a statement, passing on its condolences to all those involved with the three horses and adding: “The BHA will now analyse each of the incidents in detail through our fatality review process. This involves an in-depth review into every fatality that occurs on a raceday, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and participants.
“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries different in nature and sustained in unique circumstances.
“But as is the case where there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also initiate its additional review process to assess all relevant factors in conjunction with the racecourse and determine whether there may be any causal links.”
BHA statement
The British Horseracing Authority also issued a statement, passing on its condolences to all those involved with the three horses and adding: “The BHA will now analyse each of the incidents in detail through our fatality review process. This involves an in-depth review into every fatality that occurs on a raceday, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and participants.
“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries different in nature and sustained in unique circumstances.
“But as is the case where there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also initiate its additional review process to assess all relevant factors in conjunction with the racecourse and determine whether there may be any causal links.”
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Usual blah, blah then from the BHA.
Burnttoast
Well-Known Member
*bounces up and down in chair with hand in air* "I can think of a causal link!"
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Re Constitution Hill, I was also shocked to hear that they are entering him in the Champion Hurdle. If that was eventing (three falls in a row), aren't there rules in place to re-gain MERs? Why is there not something similar from the BHA - e.g. if a horse falls twice they do a racecourse schooling session to prove their jumping is up to scratch; mandatory vet and physio checks, etc.?
I do wonder how many fatalities are horses that have fallen in previous races, or been pulled up.
I do wonder how many fatalities are horses that have fallen in previous races, or been pulled up.
Janique
Well-Known Member
What people forget it's what happen after the races, behind the scene...
Horses breaking down and never seen again on a racecourse aren't in the statistics.
So many get injuried, they finish the race and go away ''sound '' then they brake down a few days later...
Last week, in a jumping race, I saw a terrible fall, the horse crashed, his neck had a terrible shock,
the camera showed him on his feet and walking away with his lass, the commentator said ;
Look, he is fine, he is walking away !
Well, I guess, he didn't break his neck but saying that the horse is fine after such a fall is stupid !
How can he be ok after this ? I felt that the commentator had blinkers on tbh !
Horses breaking down and never seen again on a racecourse aren't in the statistics.
So many get injuried, they finish the race and go away ''sound '' then they brake down a few days later...
Last week, in a jumping race, I saw a terrible fall, the horse crashed, his neck had a terrible shock,
the camera showed him on his feet and walking away with his lass, the commentator said ;
Look, he is fine, he is walking away !
Well, I guess, he didn't break his neck but saying that the horse is fine after such a fall is stupid !
How can he be ok after this ? I felt that the commentator had blinkers on tbh !
Janique
Well-Known Member
What i don't understand is why people are raving about Nicky Henderson being such a wonderful trainer.
Do horse people really think he is ?
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
There were no posts like this over Christmas when the racing was really good, few falls and I wasn't aware of anything nasty.
Of course there is a lot of money involved, so that obviously makes it bad, according to some. It is also a large employer and also money from betting (the great evil) goes into research which benefits all horses and ponies in the country.
It seems to me that either people love racing or don't and no amount of arguments will change that. Of course, we all hope that horses come back safe and sound and it is sad when they are injured or die. a
Of course there is a lot of money involved, so that obviously makes it bad, according to some. It is also a large employer and also money from betting (the great evil) goes into research which benefits all horses and ponies in the country.
It seems to me that either people love racing or don't and no amount of arguments will change that. Of course, we all hope that horses come back safe and sound and it is sad when they are injured or die. a
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
There will be an enquiry to see if there were any common factors, like the ground, etc. But I doubt if they will find anything.
What makes the difference between a fall which leads to fatality and one that doesn't?
You tell me.
Most trainers now would get a physio out to look at a horse that has fallen and then treat for any problems.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Wrong. Though pretending that trips off the pen easily enough, doesn’t it. Just read the posts on this threads from former fans of racing (like me) who are now totally sickened by the ‘sport’.
We regularly get chased off the pro racing thread for being spoil sports, not that that puts me off, but we’re still here all right.
It’s all about the revenue.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Quite that kind of ignored all the on the fence/like some bits not others/changed opinions comments already on this thread
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
I'm come from a family where my uncle was a trainer. I had another one who was MFH. I was very pro both. Now I am not. Im far from the only one who feels like that.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
Since people have had horses they have raced them, all over the world. I think my horse is faster than yours, let's have a race to find out. Let's have a bet and winner takes all. Being a winning owner has always been a pleasure.
What would you like to change? Or would you like to stop all racing? Think of the horses not bred, the staff with no jobs. The empty racecourses - lots of building land there. Yes, I suppose some people would like that. But I think that if you take it to the nth degree we shouldn't be riding or competing horses at all for anything.
Burnttoast
Well-Known Member
I don't think that's an unreasonable question to ask. Mankind has spent millennia just doing things because it could. These days ethics are a thing in some quarters, and there seems no harm in running some of our past decisions by our inner ethicist, particularly now that we don't need horses to sweep across the steppe and conquer Rus or pull ploughs.
Marshpiper
Well-Known Member
You are so correct, horses obviously, but the human cost, like the professional hunt staff would be immeasurable…
Most staff live on site…..no jobs..no wages…finding somewhere to live…it really would be horrendous….
VictoriaSponge
Well-Known Member
For an industry that is so cash rich, we should know this answer. If horse welfare was truly a priority in the sport, we would.
Racing isn’t going anywhere, and I agree the livelihoods of so many depend on it. But that does not detract from the nature of the sport treating horses as disposable.
teapot
Well-Known Member
I'd question the owner more in the case of CH.